Hi Hero, Bye Mehro – Offseason Sunday Open Thread

I loved baseball. Then the ’94 lockout happened and lotsa new stats emerged which I still don’t know what they mean. But I still marvel at how many of the top baseball players in history are total bastards—say, Ty Cobb, Pete Rose, and Roger Clemens. And I think that’s wonderful, because hero worship is sheeple shit.

Bad people make great things, all the time. I’d say most monuments and architectural marvels, from the Giza pyramids to SoFi stadium, have involved shafting an entire people or city. Still, it’s not difficult to judge a building or any work on its merits, and set aside the obnoxious asshole behind it. Sometimes it’s even the most sensible thing to do, just

That was what the hospital administrators in “House” did every episode with House. Using that approach, where results are the only consideration, Barry Bonds has to be the most dominant player in all sports. While he was 40! And while all your worst reactions are warranted, ask yourself if you’ve seen a player so openly and thoroughly feared, in any sport. It was great spectacle

And with the background of sanctimonious and self-important baseball writers, it was a most enjoyable occasion for me.

Another sample, outside of the world of sport. On set, Stanley Kubrick was a sadist. Currently, Michael Jackson is a fading ghost, Woody Allen an unmentionable. But when it comes to their work: it’s magnificent craft. If you can’t go beyond the person, OK, cool. Just know that you would be wrong if you think the mere mention of Kubrick, original MJ and Woody makes me an endorser of their personal acts like, say… Going several millions over the filming budget, holding babies over balconies, or Oh my God what the fuck?!

I just think it’s fair to appreciate a work and segregate any of its merits from its creator. Personally, I don’t find interesting how floral imagery is used in Mein Kampf, but studying the book is not offensive by itself. And when a post about that comes up as F*c*b**k clickbait, I will treat it like it were another shitty video of a recipe with waaay too many eggs.

And while you’re still wincing, a theory: Woody Allen created the mockumentary, with “Take the Money and Run” in 1969. If you find a mock D that predates that movie,

Luckily, NFL brass and ownership have the integrity of a paper cone with some sand. League bIdness is openly crapulent and does not allow for either critical or controversial admiration. When it comes to fitbaw, I’m fine with judging virtue based on what happens on the field. And to be clear: I have no problem whatsoever with O.J. still being in the Hall of Fame, whether of Pro Football or hypothetical memoirs.

NFL NEWS

Hey, there’s summin’

-The Cowboys pick up CeeDee Lamb’s FIF year option. In a couple of months, Yahoo’s algorithm will calibrate that transaction into a C- draft grade for you.

-The Philadelphia Eagles signed Matt Patricia as “senior defensive assistant” and 2023 scapegoat.

-Last Friday the NFL suspended five players for gambling, DE Shaka Toney from the Commanders and foUr fUck LioUns. Toney and WR Quintez Cephus and S C.J. Moore were suspended indefinitely (Detroit also released them), and all three can apply for reinstatement in 2024. The other Loins, WR Stanley Berryhill and WR Jameson Williams, were suspended for six games.

By my count, that’s 3 less receivers in Detroit. The Lions have two first round picks. Maybe who they need is Matt Millen.

SPROTS TOMITES

All times Central:

NBA Playoffs: Now It’s Noticeable©

Celtics (2-1) @ Hawks – 6:00

Nuggets (3-0) @ Timberwolves – 8:30

Grandes Ligas

Mets (Megill) @ Gigantes (Stripling) – 6:00

Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Updated; thnx Ayo]

Dallas (1-2) @ Minnesota – 6:00

Edmonton (1-2) @ Los Angeles– 8:00

TOP FLIGHT FÚTBOL

(full listing via espendeps)

Just the facts tonight.

Secsi Mecsi

Santos hosts Querétaro – 8:05

Argentina

River Plate hosts Independiente – 6:30

Bolivia

Real Tomayapo hosts Vaca Díez – 6:30

Chile

Unión Española hosts Coquimbo Unido – 7:00

Colombia

Unión Magdalena hosts Millonarios – 6:10

Boyacá Chicó hosts Deportes Tolima – 8:20

Ecuador

Mushuc Runa hosts Emelec – 6:00

Honduras

UPNFM hosts Olimpia – 6:00

Real España hosts Vida – 7:00

Real España [spits on the floor] defeated the College-educated wolves of UPNFM last Sunday. It’s up to Life tonight to do what the Spain Treasury Dept. couldn’t: disposses the Spanish monarchy.

Paraguay

Nacional hosts General Caballero JLM – 7:30

Venezuela

Monagas SV hosts Academia Puerto Cabello – 7:30

FINALLY,

You’ve likely heard the phrase “never meet your heroes”. The thinking goes that heroes are not as awesome as they are in your dreamscapes—be it fantasies of sports glory, altruistic public service, or whatever the hell it is that influencers actually do. You idealize who you idolize, and maybe the problem lies in that folks shouldn’t be idolized, period. It even sounds infantile, idolyzing 🥹… It’s embarassing. Maybe nobody deserves that much praise.

Folks who deserve praise are everywhere: those teachers who pay out of their pocket for learning materials; community organizers who bring food to assemblies, just to get people involved; and volunteers who work the phone banks because if the other guy gets elected it’s back to the XIXth Century. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure one of those called my cousin a cunt way back when. In sum, you know…

Anyway, it’s best to admire acts and respect people. Have a great week.